Terrible Mistake To Involve USA in Israeli Laser Program

IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Senior person in the Israeli military industries slams involving USA in Israeli Laser Program

In response to the IMRA commentary below, a senior person in the Israeli military industries adds:

Analyzing many comparable systems, one can safely state that it takes one-tenth of the cost and one-third of the time for the Israeli Defense
Industry to develop a similar, if not better, performing system. This was the case with the Israeli “PHALCON” early warning aircraft compared with the US E-2C or the US PATRIOT to Israeli IRON DOME.

I have perfect respect for the American Defense Industries, for their strict methodology and risk awareness which fit the needs of the American Defense Establishment. But we had to learn how to cut corners and accept a higher degree of risk without sacrificing performance.

The US has its Laser development programs. Lockheed-Martin claims to have already the capabilities Israel is trying to achieve. They are a proud
company that will undoubtedly keep the IP (intellectual property) in their hands, even if convinced to cooperate with Israel.

Israel must keep its freedom to recover the investment in developing the Laser systems through export, precisely as it was able to amply recover the development of the Multi-Mission RADAR for the IRON DOME.

Involving the USA will prolong the development, it won’t save money, and will restrict Israel from competing with American companies in the world
markets.

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Weekly Commentary: Terrible Mistake To Involve USA in Israeli Laser Program
Dr. Aaron Lerner 16 June, 2022

There’s talk that Israel will be discussing the possibility of American funding as well as coproduction for its revolutionary laser system which promises to be a game changer on many front as Israel implements its exclusive knowledge in a suite of applications ranging from ground based systems protecting Israeli communities to mobile and airborne platforms which can engage in a broad array of defensive and offensive operations.

Any American involvement in the project would be a mistake.

American funding will inevitably delay the project: American funding, by its very nature, is a long process. This wouldn’t be the first time that a critical Israeli military program was delayed as the timeline is adjusted in accordance with the timing of the receipt of US funds.

American coproduction drastically increases the exposure of the project to the international supply chain crises: When the COVID crisis heated up we even got the Mossad involved in procurement when we thought it was critical to get certain supplies and equipment. I have no doubt that the Israeli teams involved in manufacturing the systems will do anything and everything to expedite production. American production partners would not have either the same resources or agility to address supply chain challenges.

American coproduction would ultimately give the American authorities the ability to delay or even halt supplies: Such a move could be in the service of perceived American interests or in reaction to Israeli activities that the White House isn’t happy about.

American coproduction could even give the US certain veto rights over where and with whom the equipment can be used.

And this laundry list doesn’t even touch on how keeping this technology an Israeli “black box” may serve to delay the development and implementation of surface treatments and other methods by non-Israelis to reduce the efficacy of the Israeli laser.

Let’s be clear: We can afford to pay the tab ourselves and unlike Iron Dome, which launches expensive interceptors which need to be constantly replaced, the laser systems direct focused beams of light again and again and again and again.

This time we need to do it alone.
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June 19, 2022 | 2 Comments »

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  1. It is an absolutely foolish move for Israel not to pursue this project in friendly competition with the US, leaving its use and supply completely within Israel’s control.